Starting My Own HVAC Company (1 of ...Starting up)

In the months leading up to starting my own HVAC company, there were hundreds of questions that come up. It's natural to have questions about the biggest step you'll ever take in your career. An HVAC business requires special attention and management skills in order to succeed. To start your own HVAC business, you might guidance from those of us who have been through it. In this series, I picked some of the most common questions entrepreneurs have had starting up their own business. If you’re in the midst of opening a business, one or more of these topics has likely crossed your mind.
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[@offgrid2115]

Keep the videos coming, I love this "Starting My Own HVAC Company Series" , because it actually shows things that you are doing to make you business successful. Thanks for taking the time to help the rest of us.

[@earnestthompson6763]

Did the same thing man, that course made life easy. Just started this year myself...Lucky for me I'm retired military so the expedited my app the whole process took less than 45 days.

[@LarryTheCounterGuy]

A Ruud Man! Great advice. Stand your ground on pricing. The work will come. It’s pretty important nowadays to be able to prove you have Worker’s Compensation for yourself especially here in Florida.

[@chancecooper4006]

Hey brother, I would love for you to talk more about your Maintenance Agreements. I remember in one video you said that you felt that was going to be a big thing with your company, you even finance it throughout the year. Can you talk about how well that's worked out for you?

[@johnhively4995]

Hi Greg. Wanted to thank you for your videos. I just recently made the decision to go into business for myself. It's going to be a long road ahead but I'm dedicated and determined to do it. Your videos are great and I appreciate the time and effort you put in for the new guys starting out! Keep up the good work!

[@EliteAD]

Thanks for this vid Greg. I've been viewing your channel for a while now, your definitely correct on having overhead, I'm glad you mentioned that b/c entrepreneurs need overhead to protect not only you but your business also.👍🏽

[@foxfamilyheatingandaircond4696]

thanks for watching!

[@3jhvacsolutions967]

hey greg, have enjoyed watching your videos, I am in the process of starting my business, have gotten some great ideas from you regarding truck setup and starting out. looks like your doing a great job, have a blessed day!

[@foxfamilyheatingandaircond4696]

thanks brother!

[@tunaman2200]

Really good info! Thank you for sharing so that those of us going for our contractors license can have a plan.

[@hvacrjunky6119]

Looking forward to the full series. Thanks for sharing you progress with the business. 😎

[@foxfamilyheatingandaircond4696]

for sure!

[@rocibelarmengolt9828]

Useful info your shared ! I am going to start class next week to get HVAC certified but I have considered going off on my own and starting a business, but had no clue what to even consider. You just gave me a good outline on that! Besides getting your contractors license would you think it’s still necessary to get any certifications like NATE or EPA certificates?

[@foxfamilyheatingandaircond4696]

Definitely. Depending on what state you're in it's mandatory to have your EPA and contractors license. Good luck to you!

[@mike31958]

Great Info Greg. Keep up the good work. Look forward to watching the entire series

[@foxfamilyheatingandaircond4696]

Thanks!

[@shadcoats28]

I like your content. Been in the business for 13 years now and possibly thinking of getting started on my own. Thanks for the in site.

[@jazzielove1699]

How you get your first client? How much you paid for your initial contractor license? How much it is per year?

[@BuiltLikeThis]

Question. I am currently planning to go out on my own within the next 2 years. Is it necessary to do side jobs and have customer before you jump ship? My current boss is not a fan of side jobs so it makes things difficult.

[@rushgo7587]

very informational and helpful to hvac people who wanna take their skills to another level. I was curious what do you think would be better to have s-corp or c-corp business structure? and do you have any gen. liability insurance company to recommend?

[@scrambler350]

Home Warranty of America are a pain in the ass to deal with...

[@DJPariahX]

Great vids man im a HVAC ky journeyman with 6 years of install, service, and sales experience i pretty much do it all im about to get my ky master license and the question I have is whats should I be charging for a tune up?

[@MrLaffertyheating]

Highly profitable high quality work! There is enough sub par work in this industry already. Average hvac business profit is 2 to 3 percent & has been for a long time. No wonder there is so much crappy work out there!

[@FooDaki]

thanks so much for the content brother ... about to move to texas to start my hvac business. do i need workers comp insurance if i'm a 1 man operation?

[@mdc21787]

used to live in norcal....the town i fell in love with up in your area was el dorado hills, ever cruz thru there? amazing. anyways, new tech in training here thanks for ur awesome vids!

[@airoasismechanicalhvac7475]

Greg your my hero LOL!!!!!!! We've had this discussion before, it's all about where your located to how much to sell your jobs. I just gave a quote last week a lady who had the money to do the job. I was in the mid eights, and her budget was six. So it just depends on location. Great video can't wait for the rest of the series.

[@foxfamilyheatingandaircond4696]

Thanks bud!

[@Mickymaxywonder]

+Fox Family Heating and Air Conditioning did you always want to be a hvac

[@foxfamilyheatingandaircond4696]

+Tom Philbin no I was a bartender for 15 years. but I knew I had a pretty good mechanical aptitude from the air force days. fortunately I had a company who was willing to train me 6 years ago.

[@dutchman12789]

So when did you get into the Hvac industry?

[@davejohnsonnola2758]

Fox Family Heating and Air Conditioning I got an AAS in HVAC in the late '80s from a community college that had lab equipment from WWII that moved from one storage closet to another, and an instructor who said EPA regs were a commie plot. Stuck with bartending, later F&B mgmnt, but looking to getting back to fixing things... Thanks for the vids.

[@earnestthompson6763]

If you can please post a video on how run your bids. Lucky for me I have no emplyees so I save a ton. Being a sole owner though you get smoked by the tax man lol! Again great video. And your right you gotta get the right prices to stay affloat.

[@MrFrozen73]

Nice info Greg !! Waiting on the rest of the series. That's what I said " you always get what did you paid for " so if the customer wants a cheap job it will be a hack, as simple as that.

[@foxfamilyheatingandaircond4696]

thanks bud.

[@BigBoyO56]

Man thanks for all of the helpful tips. I am an 18 year old aspiring technician. How many years should you work for a company before you should branch out on your own?

[@3beltwesty]

To get the HVAC license info for your state google " Hvac California License" where California is your state Each state has different requirements as to experience; this can vary widely. To get practical experience can take years. Opening a business requires more capital than most think thus it often takes many years to open ones one business.

[@alopez5476]

Did you need to be license by the state if I just want to do side work doing AC maint. No big jobs like installs, or compressor jobs. Just Preventative Maint.?

[@BigBoyO56]

I am an 18 year aspiring hvac technician, I start trade school in the winter. How long should a guy work for a company before he branches out to open his own doors? After years on the job, I plan to start my own hvac business. What is your take??

[@foxfamilyheatingandaircond4696]

In California you need 4 years of unsupervised experience in the field. It doesn't take too long and really you need that experience because once you are out there your on your own! haha. Its scary, liberating and exciting and fun at the same time! Good luck to you Marlon

[@BigBoyO56]

+Fox Family Heating and Air Conditioning thanks man!

[@thenew9908]

great videos i am just starting in the bis how long did you work for some one before you started you own company

[@heatncool]

How much should the owner make from an employee? How much weekly profit should the owner make from the employee after all expenses are takin care of such as materials, gas, employee pay and benefits?

[@Kaykavallinetwork]

What’s the best way to get customers without buying leads???

[@Logaweed]

Wow. To get a contractors license in North Dakota you just need to form a business and pay a few to renew the license each year. That’s it.

[@lewishackett4912]

hey buddy. i subscribed and been wacthing your videos. quick question i start tech school at the end of august i have been a truck driver by trade for 11 years. im 32. you think that’s to too old?

[@foxfamilyheatingandaircond4696]

Lewis Hackett heck no I started this industry as an installer at 35. It's a good time man.

[@lewishackett4912]

Fox Family Heating and Air Conditioning thank you!!!!😯😯

[@offgrid2115]

Thats not old at all, I use to have a great helper that started at 49 and he is doing great now

[@supsoo]

Could you make a one video of this series?

[@keithsac2542]

Have you shopped around on your workers comp. insurance. 20% seems a little high. Do they have discounts for various trade organizations in your state?

[@foxfamilyheatingandaircond4696]

I should really look around huh?

[@zack9912000]

It is mainly because CA is very expensive and very restrictive for businesses to grow. The government that makes is extremely hard on people trying to make by. His government cost would be a lot less if he didn't work in CA

[@keithsac2542]

Greg, you may want to see what workers comp. class code they have you in. I'm sure each state is different. I joined trade organizations in my state (Louisiana) and they gave us our own class code with rates as low as 5%.

[@moosehvac3457]

What does it take to get ur contractor's license

[@itsmemsti]

Dude, thanks for sharing a little on this topic.

[@foxfamilyheatingandaircond4696]

thanks!

[@T-Willfixit]

thanks a lot for taking the time to give back very informing

[@foxfamilyheatingandaircond4696]

thanks man!

[@HVACRDUDE]

you don't need to pass any test in Illinois ..just file an llc get your liability and your done... wow I can't believe what hoops other states have to go through

[@cornerstoneheatingairhvac4330]

you mentioned that you thought about using home warrenty, any details how you started getting calls so quickly? I'm from oklahoma by the way, haven't seen any you tubers from here.

[@foxfamilyheatingandaircond4696]

potential and action my man, just get out there and start getting clients. guerilla marketing property management companies, yelp, home advisor. a little bit of everything...another video.

[@gelo787ful]

Do u need to be a master hvac to start you hvac business or juts need to get a contractor license /?? Thank you

[@foxfamilyheatingandaircond4696]

Depends on your states requirements. Check out your govt contractors state license board for more answers.

[@JJYacco]

Is that test demo good in other states

[@oafyvonskidmark316]

Those home warranty outfits expect an average cost of $150 a call, if you do not they use you less if they have another shop that has a lower average call cost, they are really cheap! I am impressed by the quality of your videos, awesome, you have a great demeanor too! I worked at a 50 yr old shop back in the 90's and our 1st hour was $106.50 back then and a cap was easy $75 bucks, it is not the cost of the parts they pay for it is our experience and knowledge which takes decades to perfect, I started in 1975 at age 14 cause my best pals dad had a shop in Sacramento.

[@efman2k3]

Awesome advise and info. Thanks for posting.

[@foxfamilyheatingandaircond4696]

thanks so much

[@iiiphase4606]

cool stuff. keep the vids coming brother👊

[@foxfamilyheatingandaircond4696]

will do. thanks!

[@IGCHVAC]

just interested in how you go about getting insurance for your company

[@foxfamilyheatingandaircond4696]

sure I mean you need an indemnity bond ,general liability, inland marine insurance for your equipment, workers comp and auto insurance. just get with your commercial insurance agent and they will set you up.

[@jhhvacplumbing1944]

Good topic Greg

[@alarmsquadnj]

what are you driving

[@earnestthompson6763]

What software do you use for estimates and invoicing? I have been using joist since its free and, comes with a financing for customers as well. Sometimes I use the job link as well just to give the customer a detailed report on their system.

[@advancedair6536]

I use invoice2go, so far so good. It's simple..

[@billbuckman]

Nice work subbed up .thanks for the info.

[@RobHVAC]

Good Vid. I agree with all your points

[@foxfamilyheatingandaircond4696]

thanks man.

[@FORGETYOU8]

My company that I work for charges in the 15k plus for install jobs

[@cornerstoneheatingairhvac4330]

how are you going about getting club members?

[@foxfamilyheatingandaircond4696]

another video...

[@Fishyplumber1986]

Great video! Good advice

[@foxfamilyheatingandaircond4696]

thanks man!

[@LukeLGK]

Great video!

[@gonzgarr1592]

nice video with great info thanks

[@octavianomora5712]

Good info thanks.

[@dudefixesstuff2153]

Ton of great info here

[@foxfamilyheatingandaircond4696]

Thanks!

[@cornerstoneheatingairhvac4330]

thanks for the info.

[@opgamerz8631]

I need job air conditioning plz help

[@neilsandagon1186]

How much do i need to apply for license?

[@kevinkubed7683]

neil sandagon in Michigan I had to have 3 years experience before I was eligible to take the exam

[@neilsandagon1186]

Kevin Park thank you sir.. Do you need to have a bond insurance first before applying for exam? Thanks in advance

[@kevinkubed7683]

No. I'm licenced but I don't own my own company. I carry no insurance or works comp. The company I work for carries it on me. So I'm just a licenced technician

[@Essays4College]

So how are you doing now?

[@foxfamilyheatingandaircond4696]

fantastic! thx!

[@Essays4College]

@@foxfamilyheatingandaircond4696 Profitable in just 2 years? wow!

[@arungoodsingh4110]

Hi mam I m interested HVAC Ple contact me 9028313549, 9068452573

[@bryantylerservices]

I couldn't agree with you more,here in san Antonio,Tx..,there is so many companies and alot are unlicensed... The sad truth is consumers are looking for the lowest price,i strrss over and over, you pay for what you get..lower is not always beneficial,but believe me.,its a tough market,especially down here..but you have to stay firm and explain the importance of liability and licensing.,most understand . My best to you...and BLESSING Bryan Tyler refrigeration. Licensed over 25 years.

[@namidiaprodutoraonline]

Hi Greg! I'm from Brazil and I've been watching your videos and i appreciate all of them. I would like to open my own company there with HVAC and i would like to know more about it. Could you give your email adress? See you later.

[@stevewarren3051]

You'd really rather do 3 installs a month for $1,000 a piece than 10 installs for $750? Really?

[@tjh5787]

Do you feel KZbin has played a factor in the growth of your business?

[@foxfamilyheatingandaircond4696]

I wish. my videos have been geared more towards other hvac techs. I need to start optimizing my videos towards customers questions about hvac on Google in my area.

[@D-Gamer-ts1yy]

Could not agree with you more on pricing! The days of changing a motor for $300 are so far gone anyone that does is a clown. Installs should be priced adequately as well Don’t be the cheap guy out there just trying to beat everyone else cause you will suffer in the end. Equipment is built now days where it’s pretty much a guarantee you will perform warranty work on it before the warranty expires, you will have call backs, overhead and missed material not figured in your jobs. DONT BE A CHEAP ASS! Do quality work and price it right!